Why Single-Tasking is the Key to Productivity

Ditch the Multitasking Myth for Better Focus and Results

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Back in the day, I had a job interview where the recruiter asked me how adept I was at multitasking. I was honest with them and said that I am not a fan of the concept of multitasking. In fact, I believe that multitasking is a myth and that it actually decreases productivity. I like to focus on one task at a time and give it my full attention, ensuring that the job is done to the best of my abilities. Suffice to say, I didn’t get the job, but I wouldn’t like to work there anyway; so I had to stick to juggling my Netflix and snacks while I looked for another job—now that’s some true multitasking.

One of the main reasons that multitasking is unproductive is that it forces our brains to constantly switch between tasks. This “task switching” can be mentally exhausting and actually slow us down, as our brains need time to adjust to the new task at hand. Additionally, when we try to do multiple things at once, we are often not giving our full attention to any one task, which can lead to errors and mistakes.

Another problem with multitasking is that it can be detrimental to our long-term memory. According to studies, when we try to take in information from multiple sources at once, we are less likely to remember any of it. This is because our brains can only process and store so much information at a time, and when we try to overload it with multiple tasks, the information gets lost in the shuffle.

So, if multitasking is not the way to go, what is the most productive way to work? The answer is simple: Focus on one task at a time. This is known as "single-tasking,” and it allows us to give our full attention to the task at hand, leading to better performance and higher quality work.

Several studies have supported the idea that multitasking can be detrimental to productivity. For example, a study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that multitasking with media (like watching TV or browsing the internet) can lead to less cognitive control and worse performance on cognitive tasks. Another study, which was published in the journal Human Factors, found that using electronic media while doing more than one thing can hurt task performance and make people feel more stressed.

Moreover, a study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that multitasking leads to an increased risk of making errors, as well as forgetting information. Furthermore, a study published in the journal Memory & Cognition found that multitasking can make it harder to do things like remember information from a text that requires long-term memory.

In contrast, focusing on one task at a time, known as “single-tasking,” has been shown to lead to better performance and higher quality work. A study in the journal Psychological Science found that people who did one thing at a time did better on cognitive tasks than people who did more than one thing at a time. Another study, which was published in the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, found that people who did one thing at a time were happier at work and less stressed.

There are several things you can do to make single-tasking work in your life, including:

1. Prioritize your tasks: Make a list of the tasks that you need to complete, and then prioritize them based on importance and urgency. Be mindful of the tasks that you take on and make sure that you can manage them without compromising on the quality of the output. Focus on one task at a time, and don’t move on to the next task until the first one is completed.
2. Eliminate distractions: Identify what distracts you the most (e.g. social media, email notifications, etc.) and eliminate them as much as possible. Use apps or plugins that block distracting websites or turn off your phone while you work.
3. Break down bigger tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks, as this will make it easier to focus on completing one task at a time.
4. Take breaks: Single-tasking doesn’t mean working non-stop. Take regular breaks to give your brain a rest, and refocus your mind.
5. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present and aware of what you are doing. When you are engaged in a task, try to focus your mind solely on that task, without letting other thoughts or distractions creep in.

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” — Alexander Graham Bell.